First Time Renters Advised To Go Professional
First time tenants urged to use professional letting agents
First time tenants looking for property to rent in the UK are being advised to carry out plenty of research before accepting a tenancy.
The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) are advising potential renters to keep the process focussed and simple when searching for accommodation, as there are key differences between becoming a tenant and owning a home.
Ian Potter, operations manager at ARLA noted: “Renting is often seen as a low-hassle, lower risk option when compared to purchasing a home, yet many people find the prospect of renting a home daunting.”
Calculating the average rental rates for a postcode of choice could be one way in which potential renters can avoid any unnecessary surprises, as just a couple of miles difference in location can serve to add or subtract significant amounts from monthly payments.
Selecting rental properties could even come down to the attitude and business acumen of the landlord in some areas. Professional landlords that are used to meeting the requirements of their tenants may offer Rent Guarantee insurance following tenant referencing, as a way of securing a long term tenancy, removing the threat of financial uncertainty and circumstance changes from burdening tenants.
New tenants are also being advised to seek rental properties through a letting agent affiliated to a professional organisation, such as ARLA, in order to ensure competent adherence to regulations.